Aggregating data

Data from individual patients can be aggregated to provide useful information about various aspects of antibiotic use at ward or hospital level.

In this step we will show some examples of aggregated data collected from 50 patients prescribed antibiotics during a PPS in a small hospital.

This table shows aggregated data on antibiotics used within the hospital. The data from patient 552386 described in Step 2.2 is included within the amoxicillin total.

Antibiotic use

Name of drug

Count of prescriptions

Total number of prescriptions and % of total

Amoxicillin

IIIII IIIII I

11 (22%)

Benylpenicllin

IIIII III

8(16%)

Cefuroxime

IIIII I

6 (12%)

Ciprofloxacin

III

3 (6%)

Co-amoxiclav

IIIII

5(10%)

Flucloxacillin

III

3(6%)

Gentamicin

IIIII II

7 (14%)

Metronidazole

IIIII

5 (10%)

Vancomycin

II

2 (4%)

Total

50

This table shows aggregated data on the indications for use of antibiotics within the hospital.
The data from patient 552386 in Step 2.2 is included within the COPD total.

Indications for use

Indication

Count of patients

Total number of patients and % of total

Acute abdominal infection

III

3 (6%)

Acute exacerbation COPD

IIIII II

7 (14%)

Cellulitis

IIIII II

7 (14%)

Community acquired pneumonia

IIIII I

6 (12%)

Diverticulitis

II

2 (4%)

Neutropenic sepsis

II

2 (4%)

Pyelonephritis

IIII

4 (8%)

Urinary tract infection

IIIII IIIII II

7 (14%)

Wound infection

IIIII II

7 (14%)

Total

50

This table shows aggregated data for several measures of the quality of prescribing within the hospital.

The data from patient 552386 in Step 2.2 is included within each of the measures.

Quality of prescribing

Measure

Count of measure

% for measure

Route - number of IV

25/50

50

Dose correct (as per policy for indication)

44/50

88

Frequency correct (as per policy for indication)

48/50

96

Compliance with local policy*

35/48

52

(Note *) 2 indications were not covered by local policy so could not be assessed)

These tables show the range of information we can collect during a PPS and each one can be used to inform improvements in prescribing practice. We will consider how this type of data can be used later in the week.